Turkey releases more than 35,000 prisoners to make room in jails

Turkish authorities have released more than 35,000 prisoners to free up space in its crowded facilities, state news agency Anadolu reported on Wednesday.

Some 7,450 convicted felons and 28,522 people awaiting sentencing have been released from prisons, according to Anadolu, concluding official measures announced three weeks ago.

Turkish media have reported that prisons have become overcrowded amid a far-reaching government crackdown that has resulted in the arrests of thousands of citizens in the wake of a July 15 military coup.

Under Turkey's current state of emergency, authorities have passed measures allowing for about 38,000 people convicted before the coup to be released under certain conditions.

Prisoners convicted of serious crimes such as murder or rape were excluded from the measure.

Beirut (dpa) - Syrian government forces and their allies advanced deeper into the shrinking rebel-held enclave in eastern Aleppo on Wednesday, seizing the Old City, while demanding the armed opposition groups leave the area.